Teal

Designer: Lidgard

Built: 1946 Lidgard Boatbuilders. Kawau Island, Auckland

Length Overall: 38ft 6” (11.73m)

Beam: 8ft (2.43m)

Draught: 5ft (1.52 m)

Length Water Line: 30ft (9.14m)

Construction Hull: Double skinned kauri carvel construction. Restored and glassed 2018

Engine: Volvo 20hp

Sail: Bermudan: Main, Jibs(2), gennaker.

Teal was designed and built by the Lidgard brothers in 1946 for Sir Willian Goodfellow and L.H. Clarke. Launched at Kawau Island on 22nd December 1948, subsequent owners included Lawrence Cleary, Sir Keith Park, Mark Williams, T.L. Elliott, Fred Herbert and Malcolm Trask.

In 2012 a phone call from Okahu Bay Hardstand prevented Teal from heading to the scrapyard because of outstanding fees. Within 24 hours Teal was rescued by the Tino Rawa Trust and transferred to a boat shed in Morningside. The desire to add to the Trusts existing fleet of vessels was not part of the long term plan plan but the threat of losing a vessel with provenance both in design and with previous owners was.

We were uncertain what the future was for the yacht but at least she was now safe from the ‘wreckers ball.’ Initial work was undertaken removing surplus hardware and the cockpit and cabin structure that were well beyond repair. Along with the removal of many layers of paint both inside and out and some interesting ‘design additions’ below the water-line this now gave us a clean canvas to mull over the future design and use of Teal.

Returning her to the original configuration was considered at length. We often referred to the design of Jack Brooke’s Gleam built in the same era, similar in design both in bow, narrow beam, stern and a weapon with cracked sheets.

The final decision, based on functionality, was to design a day sailer with the large cockpit and a modest cuddy cabin. Fund raising started and by 2016 Teal arrived at Yachting Developments at Hobsonville.

The design included a large open cockpit, a Herroschoff inspired cuddy cabin and minimal additions below. A modest head and two squabs are the only luxuries. Her overall length is 38ft 6” (11.73m), beam 8ft (2.43m) and draught 5ft (1.52m). The double-skinned kauri carvel construction has been glassed with two layers of triax three directional cloth. Classic purists may debate this process but at 70 years old some tired boats need stiffening up much the same way as old people need new joints.

A preloved 20hp Volvo, ex Steinlager 2, was donated by the NZ Sailing Trust and installed. The existing Farr 1104 rig was retained, a new rudder installed and a new Doyles main, two jibs, a gennaker and a Code 0 completed the wardrobe.

Teal was restored over the course of more than a year and has now returned her to former glory competing in the CYA racing series, SSANZ 2 handed races, Bay of Islands Tall Ships Regatta and other races.

Her tippy’ness was not unexpected right from the first sail but with the inclusion of hiking straps and continuous trimming on main and headsails Teal is a physical but fun boat to sail. Trustee William Goodfellow commented, “Her new design acknowledges the past, but she has been reborn for the future.”